Resolution 1979- 75
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RESOLUTION NO. 79-75
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY
ADOPTING POLICY GUIDELINES FOR LANDSCAPING.
WHEREAS, after study, the Planning Commission and
staff has prepared and recommended adoption of the attached
policy guidelines for landscaping in the City of Gilroy. and
good cause appearing therefor,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of
the City of Gilroy approves the attached policy guidelines
and adopts the same for the regulation of landscaping in the
City of Gilroy.
PASSED AllD ADOPTED this 17th day of September, 1979,
by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS : CHILDERS, CUNNINGHAM.
HUGHAN, PATE, STOUT,
and GOODRICH
COUNCILMEMBERS : None.
NOES:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS : LINK
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
RESOLUTION NO. 79- 75
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PLANNING
DEPARTMENT
CITY OF GILROY
LANDSCAPING POLICY
Adopted by City Council September 17, 1979
by Resolution No, 79-75.
The purpose of this Landscape Policy is to provide a set of approved
policies and minimum standards for landscaping throughout the City
of Gilroy. This policy is intended to be used as a guide in both
the preparation and the review of landscape plans.
All proposals for construction or development within the City of
Gilroy which are subject to review by the Architecture and Site
Approval Committee (except single family and duplex residential
developments) shall submit landscaping plans to be reviewed for
conformance with this Landscaping Policy prior to issuance of a
building permit.
A. Four sets of landscape plans shall be submitted to the Depart-
ment of Planning which show all areas of the site including:
1. Full dimensions of the site, building, paved and land-
scaped area.
2. Location of property lines, adjacent streets, curbs,
and sidewalks.
3. Existing features to be retained such as buildings,
paved areas, trees and shrubs.
4. Location of all plant materials and soil mounds.
5. The quantity, size (gallonage) and species (both com-
mon and botanical name) of all plant materials in-
cluding street trees.
6, The present uses of the adjacent parcels should be noted
on the plans.
7. Any additional features of the development proposal which
relate to the landscaping.
B. Landscaped areas shall be provided and maintained according to
the use of the site as follows:
1. All multi-family residential developments shall landscape
all yard areas required by zoning (or an equivalent area
elsewhere on the site) which are not specifically used for
driveways, walkways, patios or similar-purposes. At least
35% of the required landscaped area should be designed to
be useable as open recreational area.
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Landscaping Policy
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9/17/79
2. All commercial development shall provide landscaping within
the areas of the development most visible from the adjacent
streets. A minimum 10 foot wide planter area, which may
include the public right-of-way, should be provided along
each street frontage. At least 8% of the gross land area
plus the public right-of-way shall be landscaped, except in
the Central Business Area where front and side yard setbacks
are not utilized. All portions of a site with over 40
square feet of area not specifically used for parking, drive-
ways, walkways or similar access shall be landscaped. Land-
scaped islands should be located in parking lots at the rate
of at least 50 square feet for every twelve (12) stalls, and
should be evenly distributed throughout the parking area.
Planter areas should be at least five (5) feet wide except
where due to the specific site situation, this width is im-
practical.
3. All industrial developments shall landscape the front and/or
side yard areas as required by zoning adjacent to streets
which are not specifically used for parking, driveways, walk-
ways or similar paved access. Additional landscaping may be
required to screen parking lots, exposed storage yards, fences,
and landscaped islands in employee and visitor parking lots.
Planter areas should be at least five (5) feet wide except
where due to the specific site situation, this width is im-
practical.
C. An irrigation system shall be provided which will adequately sup-
ply water to all plant materials in all planter areas. Water
conservation methods should be considered.
D. The landscaping shall be designed to enhance the aesthetic qual-
ity of the development, by use of the following design features:
1. Parking areas should be screened from adjacent residential
areas and streets, except at driveways and street corners
where visibility is needed (see attachment A).
2. In certain locations, such as around trash enclosures, car-
ports, pool equipment and electric transformers, the land-
scaping should be designed to provide a visual screen from
these less pleasing features of a development.
3. Trees should be provided to shade large paved areas and to
screen long building frontages.
4, Trees and shrubs should be clustered together, for accent,
to form aesthetically pleasing groupings and patterns.
5. The density and placement of plants are to be determined by
the plant size at maturity. The size of ground cover and
shrubs, when installed, should give enough coverage for a
pleasing appearance in all landscaped areas.
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Landscaping Policy
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9/17/79
6. Trees shall have a minimum 15 gallon container size.
7. Drought resistant plant materials should be selected when
feasible.
8. Gravel, redwood bark chips and similar material shall not
be used as a major landscaping design feature except in
children's play areas. These materials may be simply used
to cover bare soil between plant materials until the plants
fill in at maturity.
9. Sturdy raised curbs shall separate all planter areas from
driveways and parking areas where feasible. Wheel stops
need not be provided in parking areas where the front two
(2) feet of the planter area is planted with low ground-
cover to accomodate car overhang.
10. Deep root planters must be provided where trees are planted
within three (3) feet of City pavement or sidewalk.
E. The proposed plant materials shall be carefully selected for the
following:
1. Suitable existing trees and shrubs in good condition should
be saved.
2. The overall compatibility of the ultimate form, size, den-
sity and color of trees, shrubs and ground cover at matur-
ity should be considered.
3. The tolerance of the plant materials to existing physical
conditions, and resistance to insect pests and disease
should be considered.
4. The intended use (such as shade, screening, windbreak or
erosion control) should be considered in the selection.
5. The mutual compatibility of the water needs for the various
plant materials, as well as the ease of maintenance should
be considered in selecting the plant materials.
F. Street trees shall be selected and installed for all new develop-
ment in accord with the following criteria:
1. A fee will be assessed for street trees when the building
permit is issued.
2. The species of street tree designated by the Parks and Rec-
reation Department shall be used. Applicants may request
substitution of the designated street tree if it is not
compatible with the proposed landscape plan.
3. The City will install all street trees in the public right-
of-way, Applicants may plant street trees by obtaining a
street tree planting permit from the Parks and Recreation
Department and installing the street trees in accord with
the requirements of the Parks and Recreation Department.
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Landscaping Policy
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4. Deep root planters shall be provided for street trees in
all planter areas six (6) feet wide or less.
G. Installation and maintenance of all landscaping shall observe
the following guidelines:
1. All landscaping shall be installed in accordance with the
approved landscape plan.
2. Only healthy, well formed and vigorous plant materials
shall be used.
3. Soil amendments should be used where poor soil conditions
exist.
4. All plant materials should be maintained in a live and
healthy condition, and free of weeds. The developer and
owner shall be required to remove weeds and replace all
sick or dead plant materials for a six (6) month period
after installation.
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Attachment A
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Attachment B
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I, SUSANNE E. STEIN~1ETZ, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy,
do hereby certify that the attached Resolution No. 79-75 isan
original resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of
Gilroy at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 17th
day of September, 19~, at which meeting a quorom was
present.
IN WIT~mSS ~nIEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Official Seal of the City of Gilroy, this 20th day of
September , 19 79 .